Page 11 of Saving Jane
Elizabeth handed over the letter from Mary and Mrs Gardiner quickly read the front and back of the page.
“I am not surprised at this engagement,” Aunt Gardiner told her niece. “Your uncle will be relieved that your father is making some arrangements for the future.”
“But Aunt, my father and Jane know nothing of Mr Collins other than the acquaintance of a single week. How long did you know Uncle Gardiner before you wed?”
“I knew your uncle for several years before we were engaged; he was frequently in Lambton on business. I was surprised but pleased when Mr Gardiner asked my father for an engagement in spring. They talked several times, and he came to supper three times before the banns were read andwe were married.”
Elizabeth asked, “Did your father consult with you? Were you asked for your consent to the marriage?”
“No, my dear, I was not consulted. My father announced one afternoon that he had reached an agreement with Mr Gardiner for my hand. Two months later, we were married and leaving Lambton for London.”
“But...”
Her aunt took Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it slightly. “Mr Gardiner is the very best of men; he is a most caring husband, attentive father and noted tradesman. I would never have found a better husband if I had searched the entire kingdom.”
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That evening, Mrs Gardiner shared Mary’s letter with her husband and they asked Elizabeth to sit with them and discuss her feelings.
“I cannot tell you what I feel this evening Uncle,” Elizabeth said. “I have heard of arranged marriages before but for Jane to be engaged to this man so quickly after my family met him concerns me.”
“But your cousin’s situation is appealing. He is the next master of Longbourn,” her uncle explained. “This marriage will allow your family to remain in the home they have always known and secure their future despite Lydia’s fall.”
“But what of his character? He may not be a good husband or master for the tenants.”
“Jane has many good qualities–she can mould him into a good man and good master for the estate,” Uncle Gardiner said. “I have spoken to your father several times that he should make plans for the future, and he has never shown any concern before now. He wrote to me earlier this week about the engagement with instructions not to discuss it with you until it was time for our visit at Christmas.”
Elizabeth felt a tear roll down her cheek as she thought of the cost to her sister of her father’s poor planning. When her uncle handed her the letter from her father, she almost did not read it, but Uncle Gardinerturned to the most pertinent section.
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I have determined that my heir–William Collins–is a poor character but again, he is my heir and Longbourn goes to him upon my death. I believe that his sudden appearance and request for marriage with one of my daughters is Providence smiling upon me once more. I shall engage my brother Phillips to prepare the engagement settlement immediately and obtain a binding signature from Mr Collins before any gossip reaches his ears.
Mrs Bennet has spoken to Jane and with my eldest daughter’s gentle nature, her consent to the engagement was a small matter. I know this is not the settlement I had hoped for any daughter at one time, but we must make some arrangement for the future. With Jane’s marriage to Mr Collins, I know that Mrs Bennet will be secure in her future, and she can soften her vocalizations of the need for suitable husbands for her remaining unwed daughters.
Peace will be restored to Longbourn.
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Humiliated to learn of her father’s willingness to sacrifice Jane so easily, Elizabeth handed the letter back to her uncle. “My father rushes to engage Jane to Mr Collins because of the fear of gossip.”
Now Elizabeth fretted and moped about the house on Grace Church Street, but her aunt tolerated her low spirits and allowed her niece to take long walks when the footman was free of his duties and could accompany her.
Two mornings later, Elizabeth finally received a letter from Jane.
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Dearest Lizzy,
I have missed your letters in recent days. Are you well? I find that I must write this morning–after some persuasion, Father has granted me permission to share my news with you–Mr Collins has made me an offer of marriage and I have accepted. The settlement papers were prepared by Uncle Phillips and both Father and Mr Collins signed. Mr Collins did not think it necessary that I sign the settlement, but Mamma insisted, and I did. Thus, our engagement is finalized.
You may ask how this event came about so allow me to reveal all. Not long after Mr Collins arrived, he made his intentions known to the entire family–he sought one of our father’s daughters as his wife to atone for inheriting the estate and our mother quickly pointed out the benefits of accepting Mr Collins hand–I shall return to Longbourn as mistress, and the future of my mother and sisters will be secure. I know you Lizzy–there is a frown on your face and an argument forming in your mind but there must not be any disagreements over this marriage.
As mother brought to my attention, I will be three and twenty this spring and have not received any proposals of marriage– I am on the shelf like Charlotte Lucas. She says that I am ‘too beautiful’ and that men are afraid to approach me. Mr Blackstone continues to preach on immorality among young women on Sundays and the neighbourhood grows tired of his sermonizing. Even Mary has refrained from any discussion of his sermons on Sunday afternoons.
However, Mr Collins enjoys talking with Mr Blackstone and he has become a frequent quest at our table. But I want you to know that I understand my duty to my family. Therefore, I am reconciled to the marriage. Mr Collins and I shall marry from Longbourn in June.
I miss you Lizzy and look forward to your return at Christmas. Your sister, Jane
